Lepomis microlophus

History of Spread

Lepomis microlophus (Redear Sunfish) is native to Mississippi and Gulf Slope drainages from IA and IN to the Nueces River TX (Page and Burr 1991). Its native Atlantic Slope range is less clear, and may have ended near the FL-GA border, or as far north as the Savannah River (Fuller et al. 1999). Lepomis microlophus has been widely stocked in ponds and impoundments, largely by individuals and state agencies. Redear Sunfish have been introduced to river systems in 28 states, including the Great Lakes Basin, and the San Francisco Bay Delta (Cohen and Carlton 1995; Mills et al. 1993; Florida Caribbean Science Center 2001).

The fairly recent first records in the Chesapeake region (Jenkins and Burkhead 1993) and in OK, IL, and CA (1935-49; Carlander 1977) suggest that it was not among the 'bream' or 'sun-fish' introduced by the U.S. Fish Commission. Jenkins and Burkhead (1993) indicated that the distribution of this species was undersampled, because of its widespread introduction in farm-ponds. Given its frequency in Gulf of Mexico tidal marshes (Peterson 1988), perhaps it will increasingly colonize these habitats in the Chesapeake as it becomes better established.

The Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences Striped Bass Survey captured specimens in the tidal James, Rappahannock, and York Rivers. Abundances were low (39 fish) compared to native L. gibbosus (Pumpkinseed, 1731), introduced L. macrochirus (Bluegill, 702), and native Lepomis auritis Redbreast Sunfish (739) (Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences 1998).

James River- Lepomis microlophus were first recorded in the drainage in 1967, and were stocked in impoundments along the lower estuary (Jenkins and Burkhead 1993).

York River- Lepomis microlophus were first recorded in 1971; stocked in impoundments along the lower estuary; a distribution map shows one record apparently from the tidal Mattaponi (Jenkins and Burkhead 1993).

Rappahannock drainage- Lepomis microlophus were first recorded in 1977 and were stocked in one reservoir just above Fall-Line (Jenkins and Burkhead 1993).

Potomac River- Lepomis microlophus were first recorded in 1958 in reservoirs on the VA side. It has been found in estuarine waters in MD; at Indian Head and Blossom Point in the tidal fresh-oligohaline zone (O'Dell et al. 1976). It was not collected at Fort Belvoir VA, but was present in some Piedmont streams (Ernst et al. 1995).

Susquehanna River- Lepomis microlophus were stocked in the PA drainage in 1971-1973 (Denoncourt et al. 1975b), but were not recorded below Conowingo Dam (McKeown 1984).

Delaware River and Bay- In 1994, a population of L. microlophus was found in Wagamons Pond (Sussex County DE). In 1996, this species was collected in Trap Pond (Sussex County) and the St. Jones River (Kent County) (Raasch 1996).

History References - Carlander 1977; Cohen and Carlton 1995; Denoncourt et al. 1975b; Ernst et al. 1995; Florida Caribbean Science Center 2001; Fuller et al. 1999; Hardy 1978; Jenkins and Burkhead 1993; Lee et al. 1980; McKeown 1984; Mills et al. 1993; O'Dell et al. 1976; ; Page and Burr 1991; Peterson 1988; Raasch 1996; Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences 1998

Invasion Comments